Step 2 - Employee Applies for a Visa

Once the position nomination has been approved, the employee must apply for a permanent visa to work in Australia. The visa application must be lodged within six months of the nomination approval date.

Application charge

Unless you are a deemed visa applicant or eligible for a fee-free application, there is a non-refundable charge for this application.
See:
Fees & Charges
Deemed Visa Applications
Fee-Free Visa Applications

Other Costs

In addition to the application charge you will need to pay for any medical examinations.

You may also be required to pay a charge for obtaining police checks. This charge varies in each country. When required to obtain your own police checks, you are personally responsible for all arrangements.

There may also be other costs associated with the application, such as translating documents into English.

Application checklist

The application checklist details the information and supporting documents that you must provide with your application. Complete applications are likely to be processed more quickly. Incomplete applications may be delayed or, in some cases, refused.
See: Employer Nomination Scheme / Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclasses 121/856 & 119/857) Application Document Checklist ( 71KB PDF file)

Information to help prepare your application

Information about certifying and translating documents, communicating with the department, using a migration agent, authorising another person to receive information from the department, and receiving assistance with your application.
See: Information to Help Prepare Your Application

How to apply

Complete the application form and attach all necessary documentation.
See: Form 47es Application for employer sponsored migration to Australia (886KB PDF file)

Eligible family members of the employee may apply with the employee or separately. If they apply separately, they must complete a separate application form and pay a separate application charge.

How and where to lodge

Your application should be lodged with the same centre of excellence that processed the employer nomination form. The application can be lodged:

• by post
• by courier
• in person

See: Centres of Excellence

When lodging applications:

The visa application can be lodged at the same time as the nomination form or within six (6) months of the nomination being approved. It cannot be lodged before the nomination. It is preferred that the visa application is not lodged until the nomination is approved.

Note: The employee should not make travel arrangements to Australia until after they have been granted a visa as nomination approval does not guarantee that a visa will be granted.

More information

More information about this visa, including the preferred method of corresponding with the department, is available.
See: More Information